The Little Aussie Legends Facing Extinction

They’re as iconic to Australia as the koala or kangaroo.

Yet, without help, bilbies are facing almost certain extinction nationwide.

For two decades, Kevin Bradley and his organisation, the Save the Bilby Fund have made it their mission to ensure the marsupials are here for generations to come.

“The only reason they’re still here is that they are just so well adapted to this environment and they’re true survivors of the outback,” Mr Bradley told Ten Eyewitness News.

With help from wildlife organisations around the country, 13 bilbies from as far as Adelaide, Perth and Darwin have been shipped to Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, in preparation for their debut in the wild.

A bilby at the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia, Australia. Photo: Getty Images

“They’re genetically chosen to have the best genetics possible to found a wild population of bilbies,” Bradley said.

Before they can be moved on, though, all 13 have undergone medical check-ups, led by Dreamworld vet, Dr Vere Nicholas.

“This will be the chance we get to have them knocked out and give them a real thorough going over,” Dr Nicholas said.